Islam-o-Phobia: Nothing to fear… Or is there?

by Dr Fawad Ahmed
(Editorial Note: Dr Fawad is a physician by profession, a singer by hobby, a volunteer in Health Clinic and Board Member Of MCA, Orlando, and above all, an astute student of Quran)

A Facebook group called Global Rally for Humanity put out a call for anti-Muslim demonstrations “in every country at every mosque.” Some plan to use “open carry laws” in some American states to bring weapons. Granted, the average participant IQ at such rallies is about 89, and these proceedings could readily be dismissed as gatherings of village idiots. However, recently anti-Muslim views have been expressed by otherwise intelligent public figures (with much fanfare) such as Donald Trump and Dr. Ben Carson, who recently stated he would not want a “Muslim in the White House”. Is there any validity to the concerns of these Islamophobes? Is Islam incompatible with the American way of life? No…with a small caveat.

First of all, please note that the 3 to 7 million Muslims in America are a more integrated community than in any other non-Muslim majority country in the world. A 2011 Pew Research Center study cited in the Christian Monitor (http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2014/0216/Islam-the-American-way) revealed that American Muslim values mirror that of the average American:

Though they tend to be younger, less likely to divorce, and more conservative regarding homosexuality,

55% of Muslims are married, as is 54% of the general US population.

20%, like 17% of all Americans, are self-employed or own small businesses.

58% of Muslims versus 62% of the general population watch TV

90% of Muslims agree that women should be able to work outside the home vs 97%

68% feel gender makes no difference in political leaders vs 72%

American Muslims by-and-large are law-abiding, tax-paying citizens. When a tragic school shooting, a domestic murder-suicide, or a large financial scam occurs, the rate of Muslim involvement barely registers a blip. The fear of increasing terrorist attacks after Sept. 11, 2001 is quickly diffused by review of the facts: nearly twice as many (48) people have been killed by white supremacists, antigovernment fanatics and other non-Muslim extremists than by radical Muslims (26): (reference:http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/25/us/tally-of-attacks-in-us-challenges-perceptions-of-top-terror-threat.html?_r=0). The rates of other social ills, such as teenage pregnancy, drugs, high school dropouts, etc. are also considerably lower in the America Muslim population.

So then what is wanting for the American Muslim to be accepted as a “true” American? This foreignness was thrust upon us by geopolitical events beyond our control, half a world way at the turn of this century…but it is our cross to bear nonetheless. Here are some ideas to help diffuse American Islamophobia:

Set an example with your demeanor and ethics. Over two-thirds of Americans have an unfavorable view of Muslims, but once they get to know a Muslim personally, that number drops by over half!

Stand for the rights of others. Look beyond your community and stand for the rights of all the wronged and oppressed. The most vocal supporters of American Muslims are often Jewish groups and the NAACP. Be seen standing with and for them when the fight is right. Indeed, the Quran refers to even non-Muslims who stand for law and order and a just economic system as “Brothers in Deen (the Way of Life)” (see: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/quran-calls-for-coexistence-not-clash-fawad-ahmed).

Be involved in community centers. Volunteer time as coach, tutor, physician, etc. in non-Muslim organizations. Let non-Muslims and their children look up to you as a role model.

Be openly charitable. Donate to non-Muslim causes…publicly. There is a common misconception that the Quran denounces non-anonymous charity. This is not the case:

2:271: “If you give charity in public, it is worthwhile (for it may persuade others), but if you hide and deliver it to the poor in secret, that is better for you.

What American Muslim would not be proud of a “Muhammad Ahmed Library” or “Fatima Hussain Women’s Shelter”! That is the kind of PR we need.

Know your neighbor. Socialize with your neighbors regularly and visit them when they are ill. Islam would not have spread if kindness was restricted to fellow Muslims.

Celebrate diversity. Unfortunately, many American Muslims, like Muslims the world over, confuse Arab culture with “Islamic” culture. (Some of the “Islamic” getup donned by Muslims is as sunnah (tradition) of Prophet Muhammad (S) as it is that of his most bitter Arab enemies!). If there is a culture in Islam, it is diversity:

49:13: “O Mankind! Behold, We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes so that you might come to know one another…”

One can easily stay within the general bounds of modesty as described in the Quran, yet dress very much like the average American. Despite this, some American Muslims choose the Arab garb. Why try to stand apart unnecessarily?

Support the Reformation of Muslim Thought. Sam Harris, celebrated atheist and Islamophobe, recently tweeted, “Of course I know there are moderate Muslims. The problem is that there is no theological basis for their views.”

Unfortunately, Mr. Harris has a point. What non-Muslims fear most about Islam along with terrorism is human rights violations. There is absolutely no denying that the generally accepted interpretation of Islam in circulation today supports child marriage, polygamy, stoning, blasphemy laws, and other troublesome practices. Every non-Muslim and Muslim is justified in being phobic of these violations. What sane person would want these beliefs enacted on their families? I covered these non-Quranic beliefs at length in a recent essay entitled, “No Comment: m.o. of the Passive Muslim majority” (see http://quranaissance.com/no-comment/). Let’s discuss reformist interpretation briefly:

Polygamy: the verse that grants permission for polygamy is only meant for times of societal upheaval to help widows and their orphaned children:

4:3: “If you (society) fear that you shall not be able to do justice with orphans, (as may happen in times of war), in order to accommodate widows and orphans, men of sound finances and character shall be encouraged to marry these widows; two, three, and four (4:127).”

Child Marriage: Under the influence of a supposedly authentic tradition, the majority of Islamic jurists refuse to denounce this heinous practice. All the while the annual toll of emotional trauma, injuries, and deaths of young Muslim girls continues to mount. The Quranic marriageable age is sufficient age to sign a legal contract, ability to consent, and to handle finances (4:6, 4:19, 4:21).

Blasphemy Laws: Every single one of the four Sunni schools of thought (madhab) prescribe death for blasphemy. The Quran has no such punishment but instead advises patience and tolerance under adverse circumstances.

Stoning: Though the Bible prescribes stoning for twelve different reasons (see http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/says_about/stoning.html), the Quran nowhere mentions a death penalty for moral crimes. Regardless, every single one of the four Sunni schools of thought prescribes stoning for adultery.

Who will challenge these ancient religious “authorities” responsible for the oppression and deaths of millions for the past 1200 years and bring about meaningful reform? It won’t be modern day traditional scholars. At a major international forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies held in April 2015, the most prominent American Islamic scholar had this to say:

“(Killing for leaving Islam) was to protect the religion … but it is no longer the mentality for the age we live in, so when you look at the universal principle of Islam it is to attract people towards religion. However, he said, in the current age applying apostasy law will cause more people to leave religion than to join it so it has an opposite effect.” (http://www.thenational.ae/uae/outdated-religious-laws-must-be-changed-uae-forum-hears)

There you have it. Is turning the Prophet (S) into a role model for ISIS and a disgrace to our children by attributing atrocities to Him considered reformation? Why not denounce the traditions behind these atrocities as false? Does not the Quran firmly declare, “there is no compulsion in religion.” Instead, prominent American scholars do the rounds in convention circuits celebrating these ancient authorities as “Champions of Islam.”

So it falls upon us my fellow American Muslims. What we have to fear even more than right wing Islamophobes is our own apathy. If you want to be truly respected and integrated in America, use your God-given Reason and American freedoms to stand up for Reformation, Pluralism, Human Rights, and Justice. That is what being American is all about…that is what being Muslim is all about!